Automatic shutoff for tractors



Nov. 16, 1948. D. H. CLAYPOOL 2,453,783

AUTOHATIC SHU'IOFF FOR TRACTORS Filed Oct. 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTD RN EYI Patented Nov. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF FOR TRACTORS Don H. Claypool, Mansfield, Ohio Application October 7, 1947, Serial No. 778,477

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic stabiliZer for tractors.

The main object of the invention is to provide a device that will automatically shut off or break the ignition circuit, and stop the engine. This action occurs when the front wheels of the tractor are raised to predetermined levels above the rear wheels of the' tractor or when the front wheels of the tractor are raised from contact with the ground.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that can be controlled to shut off or break the ignition when the front wheels of the tractor are raised to predetermined heights above the ground level.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation and durable in use.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tractor with an embodiment of the invention attached thereto;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device per se, showing a portion of the tractor in section;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the device in position for stopping the engine of the tractor, and is on the line 3-3 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 2 and Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of the device in position when the engine of the tractor is running.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral l generally designates the automatic shut-off embodying the invention.

The automatic shut-off l0 embodies the rectangular shaped base plate II, which is secured to the tractor 12, as shown in Figure 1, by the means of fasteners l3.

The ends of the base plate II are bent upwa dly at right angles to the plate II to form the cover attaching flanges l4 and I4 respectively. Centrally of the sides of the base plate i I, there is formed integrally therewith, the upstanding opposed and alined shaft supporting arms I! and i respectively.

Each plate is provided with an opening I, and

2 the openings are in alinement with each other to rotatably journal the shaft [1 therein.

Fixed to the shaft ll, intermediate of the arms I! and I5, is the arcuate shaped switch housing IS. The outer end of the shaft ll has the arrow-shaped indicator is fixed thereon for the rotation of the shaft IT, as desired. A spring 20, sleeved on the shaft ll, intermediate of the housing It and the arm l5 exerts sufficient pressure on these elements to retain the housing l8 in any position to which it is moved by the arrow l9.

The housing It, at one end thereof, is provided with a recess or cavity 2|, in which, is positioned the mercury switch 22 having the contact 23 con nected by the wire 24 to the ground terminal 25. The lead 26 is connected to the ignition system of a tractor, not shown, by the wire 21.

The wires 24 and 21 pass through an opening 23 in the housing l8, to their various terminals. A plate 23 having an arcuate shaped end 30 is mounted on the housing iii to retain the switch 22 in the recess 2|.- The plate 29 has the inclined edge flanges 3| engaging the grooves 32 in the sides of the housing to retain the plate in sliding relation on the housing I8. An opening 33 in the plate 23 alines with the opening 28 in the housing 13 to permit the passage of the wires 24 and 21 therethrough.

The housing is enclosed by the hollow semielliptical shaped housing 34, which is engaged at its bottom edges with the flanges l4 and I4. These flanges retain the housing on the base plate H, and vertical slots and 35' respectively sleeve the shaft I! to permit the housing to be so engaged.

The housing 34 is provided with an opening 33 for the passage therethrough of the wire 21 on its way to the ignition of the tractor.

Many and serious accidents have occurred to the operators of tractors when the front wheels of the tractor have raised out of engagement with the ground, turning the tractor over. This action of the tractor is caused by too heavy a drag on the rear end of the tractor or by the condition a; the terrain over which the tractor is travel- The device, therefore, was designed to eliminate the hazard of the continuous rise of the tractor that is caused by the result of the rear wheels still revolving when the front wheels are raised fmm the ground.

Before starting the tractor, the arrow I9 is directed toward one of the indicia 31 placed on the outer surface of the housing 34. The indicia are so positioned that e; slight rise of the wheels above normal breaks the circuit and shuts ofi the engine.

The normality of the tractor level is oetei== mined by the rise of the terrain ovex' which the tractor is travelling, ground is ievei, time indicie, are adjusted for such terrain. At greater slants of the terrain the arrow is fol-thee so. just-ed so that the device Wm only Forest: cir= cwit when the from; wheeis ieove the gsounci. Due to the spring so, the housing IO will not swing by gravitoi action, but vliii oniy swin when it moved. by the arm Thus the arrow is set so that the ignition Wiii "be cut of? at predetermined levels who the front wheels of the tractor are raised from me ground.

is believed that the operation ccustruction of the device will be oppoceut to those sisiileci in the eat, one it is to be understood that changes in the minor details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts may be tesorteci to, provided; they foil Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, 1S

escapes of the tractor. when the front wheeis thereof Poise from the grounci, anti means for setting the housing so that the disconnecting means will operate at predetermined ieveis.

2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein e, houstog-for the first mentioned housing is :weirmoveizaigconnected to said base plate.

3 The invention as in claim wherein the first mentioned housing is o'rcuotc shapes cross section, and the means for stopping the engine comprises a mercury switch mounted in soioi housing,

DQN H. CMYPUUL.

No xeferences cited. 

